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            About
          </div>



        
<!--utf-8--><!--0.7-->


<h1 class="title">About Python</h1>

<p>Python is a remarkably powerful dynamic programming language that is used in a
wide variety of <a class="reference external" href="/about/apps">application domains</a>. Python is often
compared to Tcl, Perl, Ruby, Scheme or Java. Some of its key distinguishing
features include:</p>
<ul class="simple">
<li>very clear, readable syntax</li>
<li>strong introspection capabilities</li>
<li>intuitive object orientation</li>
<li>natural expression of procedural code</li>
<li>full modularity, supporting hierarchical packages</li>
<li>exception-based error handling</li>
<li>very high level dynamic data types</li>
<li>extensive standard libraries and third party modules for virtually every task</li>
<li>extensions and modules easily written in C, C++ (or Java for Jython, or .NET languages for IronPython)</li>
<li>embeddable within applications as a scripting interface</li>
</ul>
<div class="section" id="python-is-powerful-and-fast">
<h2>Python is powerful... and fast</h2>
<p>Fans of Python use the phrase &quot;batteries included&quot; to describe the
<a class="reference external" href="http://docs.python.org/library/">standard library</a>, which covers
everything from asynchronous processing to zip files. The language itself
is a flexible powerhouse that can handle practically any
<a class="reference external" href="/about/apps">problem domain</a>.
Build your own web server in three lines of code. Build flexible
data-driven code using Python's powerful and dynamic introspection
capabilities and advanced language features such as <a class="reference external" href="http://www.onlamp.com/pub/a/python/2003/04/17/metaclasses.html">meta-classes</a>,
<a class="reference external" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duck_typing">duck typing</a> and
<a class="reference external" href="/dev/peps/pep-0318/">decorators</a>.</p>
<p>Python lets you write the code you need, quickly. And, thanks to a highly
optimized byte compiler and support libraries, Python code runs more than
fast enough for most applications. The traditional implementation of CPython
uses a bytecode virtual machine; <a class="reference external" href="http://pypy.org/">PyPy</a>
supports just-in-time (JIT) compilation to machine code. Also, Jython and
IronPython (see below) support JIT compilation on their respective
virtual machine implementations.</p>
</div>
<div class="section" id="python-plays-well-with-others">
<h2>Python plays well with others</h2>
<p>Python can integrate with <a class="reference external" href="http://sourceforge.net/projects/pywin32/">COM</a>, <a class="reference external" href="http://www.zope.org/Members/Brian/PythonNet">.NET</a>, and <a class="reference external" href="http://aspn.activestate.com/ASPN/Cookbook/Python/Recipe/81254">CORBA</a> objects.</p>
<p>For Java libraries, use <a class="reference external" href="http://www.jython.org">Jython</a>, an
implementation of Python for the Java Virtual Machine.</p>
<p>For .NET, try <a class="reference external" href="http://www.ironpython.net/">IronPython</a> ,
Microsoft's new implementation of Python for .NET, or <a class="reference external" href="http://pythonnet.sourceforge.net/">Python for .NET</a>.</p>
<p>Python is also supported for the <a class="reference external" href="http://www.zeroc.com/ice.html">Internet Communications Engine (ICE)</a> and many other integration technologies.</p>
<p>If you find something that Python cannot do, or if you need the
performance advantage of low-level code, you can write <a class="reference external" href="http://docs.python.org/extending/">extension
modules</a> in C or C++, or
wrap existing code with <a class="reference external" href="http://www.swig.org/">SWIG</a> or
<a class="reference external" href="http://www.boost.org/libs/python/doc/">Boost.Python</a>. Wrapped modules
appear to your program exactly like native Python code. That's
language integration made easy. You can also go the opposite route and
<a class="reference external" href="http://docs.python.org/extending/embedding.html">embed Python</a> in your
own application, providing your users with a language they'll enjoy
using.</p>
</div>
<div class="section" id="python-runs-everywhere">
<h2>Python runs everywhere</h2>
<p>Python is available for all major operating systems: Windows,
Linux/Unix, OS/2, Mac, Amiga, among others. There are even
versions that run on <a class="reference external" href="http://ironpython.net/">.NET</a> and
the <a class="reference external" href="http://www.jython.org/">Java virtual machine</a>. You'll be pleased to
know that the same source code will run unchanged across all
implementations.</p>
<p>Your favorite system isn't listed here? It may still support Python if
there's a C compiler for it. Ask around on <a class="reference external" href="news:comp.lang.python">news:comp.lang.python</a> - or just try compiling Python yourself.</p>
</div>
<div class="section" id="python-is-friendly-and-easy-to-learn">
<h2>Python is friendly... and easy to learn</h2>
<p>The Python newsgroup is known as one of the friendliest around. The avid
developer and user <a class="reference external" href="/community">community</a> maintains a
<a class="reference external" href="http://wiki.python.org/moin/">wiki</a>, hosts international and local
<a class="reference external" href="/community/workshops">conferences</a>, runs development sprints,
and contributes to online code repositories.</p>
<p>Python also comes with complete <a class="reference external" href="/doc">documentation</a>, both integrated into
the language and as separate web pages. Online tutorials target both the
<a class="reference external" href="http://wiki.python.org/moin/BeginnersGuide/Programmers">seasoned programmer</a> and the
<a class="reference external" href="http://wiki.python.org/moin/BeginnersGuide/NonProgrammers">newcomer</a>.
All are designed to make you productive quickly. The availability of
first-rate <a class="reference external" href="http://wiki.python.org/moin/PythonBooks">books</a> completes
the learning package.</p>
</div>
<div class="section" id="python-is-open">
<h2>Python is Open</h2>
<p>The Python implementation is under an open source license that
makes it <strong>freely usable and distributable, even for commercial use</strong>.
The <a class="reference external" href="/psf/license/">Python license</a> is administered by the <a class="reference external" href="/psf/">Python Software Foundation</a>.</p>
<p>Take a look at <a class="reference external" href="/about/apps">application domains</a> where Python is used, or
try the <a class="reference external" href="/download/">current download</a> for yourself.</p>
</div>



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